REDUCTION OF WAGES

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 54

REDUCTION OF WAGES

ARBITRATION COURT. ORDER APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION. CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. Thirteen applications for exemuption from the wages cut order are set down for hearing by the Arbitration 'Court, which opened to-day, affecting plasterers, plumbers, engineers, clothing trade, bakery, freezing works’ employees, tally clerks, aud the Timaru waterside workers. The first claim, that by the Lyttelton tally clerks, will be commenced to-morrow. An application for partial exemption by the North Canterbury general labourers was withdrawn. It was explained by his Honor that the labourers’ award was to be observed without the cut on all.existing contracts. LYTTELTON TALLY CLERKS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. The tally clerks employed at Lyttelton applied to the- Arbitration Court to-day for exemption from the wages cut. The special ground on which the appplication was made was that the-casual nature of the work warranted exemption, and that the imposition of the reduction would' cause undue hardship. Counsel for the union said that from various causes the work available for tally clerks had declined. After taking into consideration the deductions from wages the average amount paid to tally clerks was £2 6s lOd a week. Counsel for the employers said that the casual nature of the employment and undue hardship had already been argued in Wellington. The picture had been painted a little too black. The weekly average wage this year was £3 Us 10(1 over all. After argument between the advocates his Honor said that the average weekly wage this year was £2 Us Id. Ihe court reserved its decision.

WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD. WELLINGTON, June 24. Adopting a resolution passed at a special meeting held on June 1“ Hie Wellington Harbour Board this evening authorised a general and uniform reduction of 10 per cent, on all salaries and wages of employees. The chairman (Mr Worwood), during the discussion, said it was estimated that the revenue of the port would be something like £30,000 down for the year. - The wage cut would effect a saving of £20,000. FREEZING COMPANIES’ AWARD. WELLINGTON, June 25. Amendments to the award aud revised wages are being sought by the freezing companies of the. Dominion before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr P. Hally). The workers have filed claims for improved conditions and an increase, in wagesx The proceedings are in committee, but -Mr Hally stated that as the result of two days’ deliberations a good deal of progress had been .nade on the lines of the existing award, and it was expected that an agreement would be reached- on points other than wages. SATURDAY WORK. WELLINGTON, June 27. The call for labour to work the Breeze, Wainui, and Waimarino at noon to-day was answered on the waterside, and gangs are working.

’ TROUBLE AT LYTTELTON MEN REFUSE TO WORK OVERTIME. CHRISTCHURCH, June 26. The Lyttelton Waterside Workers’ Union surprised local shipping companies late yesterday .afternoon by refusing to work any overtime after 5 o’clock, thus delaying a number of vessels in port overnight. It was the general opinion of persons connected with shipping that the action of the waterside workers was taken as a, protest against the recent cut in wages. Further minor hitches-' occurred today. It is the practice of the shipping

companies when they wish to expedite the departure of a vessel to work during the meal hours. To-day the men refused to accept this work. To-night, however, overtime was worked as usual.